POST-DOHA AFRICAN CHALLENGES IN THE SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY AND TRADE RELATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AGREEMENT. By H. Nyangito, Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA), 2002. This paper analyses the challenges faced by sub-Saharan Africa with regard to trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPS) and sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), with a focus on the post-Doha negotiating environment. The TRIPS agreement sets a minimum standard for the protection of intellectual property rights, and the SPS agreement stipulates rules in relation to the health of plants, animals, and their products, which might restrict international trade. The paper argues that, even though sub-Saharan Africa has more WTO negotiating power now than ever before, the challenges of the Doha round need to be taken into account and opportunities exploited in order for Africa to benefit from trade liberalisation.
MAINSTREAMING NATURE CONSERVATION IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC: THE NGO EXPERIENCE. By the WWF - South Pacific Programme. This handbook uses several case studies to demonstrate the extensive work of civil society and NGO sectors around the Pacific in their contribution to the mainstreaming nature conservation. The handbook is available at: http://www.dev-zone.org/cgi-bin/links2/jump.cgi?ID=4994.
REGULATING GMOS IN DEVELOPING AND TRANSITION COUNTRIES. By the FAO Working Group on Biotechnology, April 2003. This document provides background material related to an e-mail forum on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture and food. It covers forestry and livestock sectors, fisheries, and the agro-industry. For more information, please visit: http://www.fao.org/biotech/C9doc.htm; or email: biotech-admin@fao.org.
ISSUES LINKED TO THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN THE WTO NEGOTATIONS: IMPLEMENTING DOHA MANDATES. By David Eugui, Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL). This document analyses the mandates related to the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The author argues that the TRIPS Agreement is affecting the fulfilment of the CBD in areas such as: the primacy of private rights over public rights; the recognition of intellectual property rights that use genetic resources and traditional knowledge without prior informed consent or benefit sharing; reduction of plant diversity; and the gradual use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
HANDBOOK OF BIODIVERSITY VALUATION: A GUIDE FOR POLICY MAKERS. By OECD. This handbook focuses on the nature of values associated with biodiversity and the different approaches that can be adopted to assign values for policy purposes. It uses a variety of case studies to illustrate the valuation process in OECD countries. The document can be ordered at: http://www.oecd.org/bookshop.
PLANT AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH: THE IMPACT OF IPRS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. By the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), 2002. This meeting report shares the results of discussions held during an expert workshop organised by FAO. The document focuses on intellectual property rights (IPRs) policy strategies for agricultural biotechnology at the international, national, and institutional levels. It also covers the experts’ discussion about the possibility of establishing an international biotechnology policy network.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND THE CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY by Glover, D. et al. produced by the United Nations Environment Programme (2003). The report summarises a study of the ways in which different countries have sought to promote and facilitate public awareness and participation in the design and implementation of their national biosafety frameworks (NBFs). The aim of this study is to assist policy-makers by identifying and assessing a range of tools and approaches that may help to promote and facilitate public awareness, education and participation concerning the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms.